Feds commit $5 million to Ottawa 2017

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced funding of $5 million to Ottawa 2017 (Celebrations Ottawa Inc.). Minister Joly was accompanied by Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa, and Guy Laflamme, Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau.

Through this investment, Ottawa 2017 will offer a diverse range of activities to highlight the 150

th

anniversary of Confederation in Canada’s Capital Region. Residents and visitors are invited to show their pride in being Canadian and participate in 12 full months of bold, immersive and inspirational experiences.

Ottawa 2017 events will include the celebration of foreign national days, performing arts presentations highlighting Canada’s provinces and territories, an underground multimedia experience projected in one of Ottawa’s future light rail transit stations, a Canadian videogame competition projected in monumental proportions onto buildings across the city, and a host of activities related to the 125

th

anniversary of the Stanley Cup®, a national treasure.

The 150

th

anniversary of Confederation gives Canadians the opportunity to get involved in their communities and to celebrate together our shared values, our achievements, our majestic environment and our country’s place in the world.

To make 2017 a memorable year of celebrations for all Canadians, the Government of Canada will continue to invest in Canada-wide, regional and local projects to increase Canadians’ awareness and invite them to participate in the many events taking place throughout the year.

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The major themes of the Government of Canada’s vision for the 150
th
anniversary of Confederation are diversity and inclusion, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, environment and youth.
*
The
[
Canada 150 Fund
](http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1424795454758/1434974349768)
, with a total budget of $210 million, was created in April 2015.
*
Through this fund, the Government of Canada will continue to invest strategically in activities that support the 150
th
anniversary vision and promote the direct involvement of Canadians.
*
Ottawa 2017 (Celebrations Ottawa Inc). is a Canadian not-for-profit corporation created to plan and deliver the celebrations to mark the 150
th
anniversary of Confederation in Ottawa in 2017.
*
CIBC is the lead partner for Ottawa 2017 celebrations and will be celebrating its 150
th
anniversary in 2017.

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Quotes
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“To promote the 150

th

anniversary of Confederation in Canada’s Capital Region, Ottawa 2017 will provide a range of activities that will highlight our cultural diversity, the beauty of our region and the rich legacy of Indigenous peoples. I invite all Canadians to take part in these activities, which will leave all of us with lasting memories.”
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_
—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage
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“Ottawa will be the centre stage of celebrations in 2017, as a record number of Canadians are expected to visit the nation’s capital for Canada’s 150

th

anniversary. This investment by the Government of Canada is a strong vote of confidence in our city, and will enable us to deliver a number of exciting new events that will attract Canadians from coast to coast to coast and visitors from around the world to Ottawa to mark this milestone in our country’s history.”
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—Jim Watson, Mayor of Ottawa
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“The Ottawa 2017 Bureau has been working closely with our partners to ensure that the celebrations we are planning in the nation’s capital for Canada’s 150

th

birthday are complementary to national celebrations and annual events and festivals in Ottawa, as well as representative of all Canadians, including youth and new Canadians. With the Government of Canada’s support, we will showcase Ottawa from an avant-garde perspective and create energizing moments for the millions of Canadians that will take part in these historic celebrations.”
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—Guy Laflamme, Executive Director, Ottawa 2017 Bureau
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Associated Links
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Canada 150Community Infrastructure ProgramCanada 150 Logo and TypefaceOttawa 2017
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